The Ultimate Photography Composition Guide
Anyone can click a button on a camera, but only a photographer can properly compose a photo into a form of art.
Mastering composition is absolutely essential for success as a photographer, and it is very simple to learn as long as you are willing to put in the time to practice. As you continue to take photos over time, your eye will develop the ability to see compositions in nature.Â
Here is everything you need to know about composition tips and techniques, and how they apply in different situations and with different camera settings.Â
What Is Composition?
Photographic composition is the organization of visual elements within the frame of a photo.
There are many techniques and strategies to help compose photos and make them more appealing to the eye. The reason why composition is so important is that it grabs the viewer’s attention and affects the way the photo is perceived. It can change a normal nature scene into a work of art. It is one of the more challenging photography skills, but it is what will set apart your work from everyone else’s.
1. Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is one of the most standard and rules of composition, and it can change the entire look of a photo.
It’s a guideline that divides the photo into thirds vertically and horizontally. The subject should be placed on one of the four points of intersection of the lines. This will leave the other two thirds of the image more open, creating a more appealing photo.
This rule does not only have to be used for subject, it can also be used to help you place the horizon. In the image above, the ball is placed in the bottom left third instead of in the middle.
2. Golden Spiral
The golden spiral is a guideline like the rule of thirds.
Instead of a grid, the guideline is a spiral shape formed by squares that are equal to the Fibonacci sequence. Sounds complicated, but using it is simple. Place your subject at the end of the spiral, and line up any other elements along the rest of the curve. The goal of the spiral is to guide the viewer’s eye through the image to the most important part of the photo.
3. Leading Lines
Have you ever seen train tracks, roads, or bridges that get smaller the further away they are? These are all examples of leading lines.
Leading lines are  natural lines in a scene that lead the viewer’s eyes to the focus of the image. They often create depth and symmetry, enhancing the quality of the photo. They can be found anywhere in nature. Shorelines, trees, shadows, and water flow just to name a few.Â
4. Symmetry
Sometimes you have to break some of the rules to incorporate other ones.
For example, symmetry directly breaks the rule of thirds. Though if it is used stylistically, it can create really enticing photos. A photo is symmetrical when both halves of the photo are equal, or mirror each other. It makes a photo look clean, balanced, and proportional.Â
Symmetry can be radial, where the photo is symmetrical from a central axis; or it can be bilateral, where two halves of the photo are the same, as shown in the photo above.
5. Simplicity and Negative Space
The use of negative space can help isolate the subject and draw the eye towards it.
The viewer will not only notice the subject, but also the empty space behind it. Embracing negative space will make your photo easier to look at, and have less distractions that take away from the focus of the photo. Negative space does not have to be a plain background; it can be grass, the sky, water, and other textures.Â
You can also create your own negative space by using a wide aperture to blur out the background behind the subject. It is a good idea to try combining this technique with the rule of thirds to add some interest to the simplicity.Â
In addition, the use of light is very important in negative space photography. Shadows can emphasize the subject in a very dramatic way and tie together the relationship between the subject and the empty space.
6. Rule of Space
Yet another rule in photography is the rule of space, stating that the direction of the subject is moving towards or looking towards should have more space in front than behind.
For example, in the photo above, the boat is moving towards the left, so I moved my camera so the boat would be placed closer to the right. There is more space to the left of it, since it appears to be moving towards the left.Â
Doing this implies that subject will continue to move in that direction, and it provides room for it to do so.
7. Fill the Frame
The opposite of simplicity is a technique called filling the frame.
In this case, positive space takes up majority of the frame instead of leaving empty space. This requires shooting close up to the point where the edges of the subject may be cut of on some sides of the frame. This will create a photo where everything in it is relevant to the subject.Â
8. Framing
As the name implies, framing uses natural elements to frame the central focus of the photo.
It helps place emphasis on your subject, move the viewer’s eyes towards it, and simply add more interest within the photo. Framing elements can be found in nature or they can be man-made. Some examples include trees, architectural doorways, windows, rock formations, etc.
In the above photo from the Philippines, the trees and mountains along the edges of the bottom half of the photo draw more attention to the main focus of the photo, where the blue water and main mountain in the center are located.
9. Patterns and Repetition
Patterns can be found almost anywhere in nature. They could be repeated lines, shapes, colors textures, etc.
Patterns don’t have to be completely uniform, they can still have a natural, organic shape, as shown in the photos above. The colors repeat, and the shapes repeat, but they are not completely identical. An important idea to keep in mind is to fill the frame.
When shooting patterns, you should compose your photo so the pattern reaches the edges of the frame to make it seem infinite. To do this, simply zoom in or move closer to the subject until the pattern reaches the edges of the frame. This will emphasize the effect of the pattern.
10. Texture
In photography, textures are defined as visual details that portray how something would feel if it were touched.
The reason why textures are so important is because it brings photos to life by creating the illusion of physical touch. Textures can be shown through shape, color, highlights and shadows, etc.
In the photo above, a bear had swiped at the bark of the aspen tree. By getting up close to it, I was able to capture the roughness of the bark and the scratch itself. The contrast in lighting defines the claw marks, causing them to stand out. The viewer can imagine the actions in real life that the photo captured.
11. Color
Color is extremely important in composition, as it greatly affects the way a photo is perceived.
Colors evoke emotions like joy, sadness, anger, and calmness and it attracts attention if used effectively. Colors can be used in contrast of one another, or cohesively as a pallet of colors that complement each other. Both methods can create a visually pleasing effect on your photos.
In this photo from Arches National Park, the subtle pink sky from the setting sun and the redness in the rocks go well together to create a color scheme that is very easy on the eye. Â In addition, to the matching blue in the upper portion of the sky and the distant mountains combine with the pink, resulting in a serene landscape that brings calmness to the viewer’s emotions.
Complementary colors are colors that are opposite of each other on the color wheel. The pair used in this photo is blue and orange. I shot this photo in the middle of an aspen forest, on a clear sunny day. The golden color of the aspen leaves allowed the trees to pop out against the blue sky. If this photo was shot on a cloudy day, it would not have had the same effect.
12. Depth
Depth refers to the range between the nearest and furthest objects in the photo.
Depth helps guide the eye throughout the photo and creates a 3D illusion in a 2D photo. When you’re composing a photo, try to think about the foreground, middle ground, and background and how they can be distinguished from one another. Leading lines, perspective, framing, and color can all help add depth to your photos.
Take a look the photo above and notice the smooth rocks in the foreground that help lead the eye into the middle ground, and eventually the background. There are three clear sections of the photo that provide depth. The sand and rocks as the foreground, the water as the middle ground, and the trees and mountain as the background.
13. Diagonal Lines
Diagonal lines help create a sense of depth as well as movement throughout the photo.
They can be found all over, from roads, to buildings, to shadows, to trees. You can also create your own diagonal lines by simply turning your camera to turn horizontal lines. To make your photos more dramatic, or to make your subject stand out, try incorporating diagonal lines.
14. Curved Lines
Contrary from diagonal lines, curved lines slow down the photo and create a calmer scene and a more serene mood.
It takes longer for the eye to follow a curve than a straight line, causing this calm feeling to take place. S-curves can help carry the eye throughout the photo and point out important details along the curve. Roads, rivers, and trails are all perfect examples of S-curves. If you are looking to create a natural and peaceful photo, keep your eye out for curved lines.
15. Avoiding Mergers
Although some of the other photography rules can be broken, mergers is one you always want to avoid.
The first type is called a background merger, which occurs when something in the background of the photo interferes with the subject. It makes it difficult to distinguish the subject from the background. Objects that are similar in shape or color and cause this issue, like shown in the photo above.
In the photo on the right, the tree doesn’t stand out against the rocks behind it. By changing my perspective a little bit, I was able to put the tree against the blue water, and it stands out much more. Be sure to examine the entire scene in your viewfinder and check for mergers before you shoot. Don’t get hyper focused on only the subject and forget about its surroundings.
16. Reflections
Reflection is one of my favorite techniques because it can completely change a boring photo into something grand.
Reflections can be created from rivers or lakes, or even just a puddle on the ground. Try different angles and positions to capture the best reflection possible. Moving closer or lower may allow you to see more in the reflection!
Now that you’ve learned all of the rules of composition, you are ready for the most important part: practicing composing your own photos. Go and take a walk in nature and take time to thoroughly think about the photos you are shooting. Over time, your photos will significantly prove, and your eye for composition will become more natural.Â
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